Quote of the Day

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Michael T White's 2010 Girls Fila Nationals Schedule/Results

CLICK HERE

Hasina Muhammad Top 5

Hasina Muhammad, the No. 70 prospect on the ESPN HoopGurlz Hot 100 list, has narrowed her college list to five, according to her father.

Muhammad, a 6-foot shooting guard from Ridgeway High School in Memphis, will choose either Memphis, LSU, Kentucky, Auburn or Mississippi.

End of Summer Shoot Out

Patosha Jeffery's Inaugural End of Summer Shoot Out will kick off Thursday night, July 29, 2010 at Ridgeway Baptist Church. This girls basketball tournament will feature teams from Memphis, Mississippi, Illinois, Alabama, North Carolina and Louisiana.

The End of Summer Shoot Out is held during the last 3 days of the July NCAA evaluation period, which means college coaches will be in attendance. Coaches from the states of Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri and New York are expected to be in attendance.

Come check out the talent on Thursday night for only $4 during the $4 First Day promotion..

Click here for more information

Nike Girls Nationals Schedule

The schedule has not been released yet. However, it should be at this location when it is released.

CLICK HERE

Ann Jones Stands Out at AAU Nationals

Team Memphis Elite - Daniels' Ann Jones (Liberty Tech) caught the eye of ESPN Hoopgurlz Kevin Powell during the AAU Nationals last week. Check out what he had to say.

Anne Jones, Memphis Elite-Daniels: Despite playing alongside wunderkinds, Hasina Muhammad and Danielle Ballard, Jones may have had just as much to do the Memphis team's runner-up finish in the 16U division as the ESPN Hoopgurlz rated backcourt duo. Serving as the team's main inside clog, Jones was the inside presence that kept opponents honest in their all out defensive pursuits of the talented backcourt mates. Jones is a strong rebounder and defends with her strength and smarts. She has the ability to make the high-post jump shot. She will need to improve her ability to score with her off-hand. But with work, the inside workhorse has the tools to complete a nice offensive repertoire.

Click here for the complete ESPN Hoopgurlz article

Unsigned Seniors

ATTENTION PLAYERS, COACHES, & PARENTS

College programs are still looking for players.

If you graduated this year and still desire to play college basketball, it may not be too late.

I'm still being contacted about opportunities.

Email me at popo@girlsbasketballtrainer.com

2010 Basketball on the Bayou Schedule/Results

CLICK HERE

2010 AAU 16U National Championship Highlights

Here are highlights from the 2010 AAU 16U National Championship game between Team Memphis Elite - Daniels and Jacksonville Lady Rams.

Team Memphis Elite - Don Williams AAU Nationals Recap

Team Memphis Elite - Don Williams traveled to Orlando, FL last week to participate in the 15U D2 AAU Nationals. Although there were some setbacks and injuries, it sounds like they had a very successful trip.

Check it out!!!!

Opened pool play with win over Baltimore Cougars 55-38 on Sunday afternoon. 1-0

Started Monday with win over CASE team from Europe 58-45. 2-0

Finished pool play later that same day with win over Hollywood FL Eagles 67-48, Tiffany Jones (Manassas) had a field day on the front end of the press, stealing multiple balls and scoring 31. 3-0

So, we finished 3-0 in pool play, win pool and get BYE into Sweet Sixteen.

Started Bracket play late Tuesday with win over Bay State Jaguars, 57-54 with a come from behind win and advance to Elite Eight, post players dominated with Tiffany Jones with 16 and Dee Dee Jones (Chester County) with 24. 4-0

Took first loss of tourney in game that would have put us in the Final Four, but ran into a buzz saw by the name of New England Shooting Stars and lost 75 – 42. They had 11 players and 11 players scored and 6 of them had at least 1 three pointer. By the way, this team WON the tourney and the National Championship and is now on their way to Arizona to play in the Super Showcase there. 4-1

We were bouncing back nicely against the Vermont Lighting when Paige Williams (St. Benedict) sprained her ankle badly and we went on to lose 62-56 despite a great effort from Denise Johnson (Manassas) with 26. Vermont went on to win next game and got 5th. 4-2

In our final game of the tourney on Thursday, we faced the Brevard Lady Blue Thunder for the 7 / 8 game. Paige’s ankle was still really bad and I was not sure she could walk, must less play so we taped it up and put them in a zone. After being down 14 at one point in the second half, we came back and won 7th place with a 61-56 victory. Paige Williams finished with 16 to go along with 15 from Denise Johnson and 18 from Dee Dee Jones. 5-2

A great week from the team after going 3-1 in the week before in the AGSE Tip Off Classic at Bishop Byrne High School.

8-3 over 2 weeks, not bad, we will take it.

Quote of the Day

“Create a vision and never let the environment, other people’s beliefs, or the limits of what has been done in the past shape your decisions. Ignore conventional wisdom.”
-Anthony Robbins

Memphis Girls Basketball Fundamental Friday: Guard and Post Drills

Here is footage from the 2010 NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp for boys. This camp regularly features the nation's top high school players and gives them insight in to what it takes to play in the NBA (both on and off the court). The camp is staffed by over two dozen former NBA players as well as current high school coaches.

Boys just seem to have all the fun and access to top camps learning new skills and drills. Don't worry girls---I plan to change all that..

This video has some really great drills to help you with ball handling and some great post moves. I can't wait to get back in the gym.

Team Memphis Elite - Daniels 2010 AAU Nationals Runner Up

On yesterday, Team Memphis Elite - Daniels competed for the 16U Division 1 National Championship in Orlando, Florida at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Milk House. Jacksonville Lady Rams defeated Team Memphis Elite 68-62 in the afternoon game.


Danielle Ballard and Hasina Muhammad were named members of the AAU All-American Team.

GAME RECAP FROM ESPN HOOPGURLZ

Brittany Roundtree scored five points and had three steals during the final 26 seconds to help the Jacksonville Lady Rams to a 68-62 win over Memphis Elite in the 16U AAU Division I championship game.

Roundtree, a North Carolina commit ranked No. 44 in the 2011 class by ESPN HoopGurlz, and Antoinette Bannister, also a UNC commit ranked 16th in the 2012 class, finished with 19 points to lead Jacksonville. The two teams battled to a 29-29 halftime tie. Bannister, the tournament Most Valuable Player, scored 14 in the first half.

Symone Daniels' steal and layup pulled Memphis to within one point, 63-62 with less than a minute to play, but Roundtree stalled the comeback attempt with her late game heroics.

Hasina Muhammad led Memphis with 19 points. Daniels, and Danielle Ballard, Lauren Douglas each scored 11. Shalethia Stringfield and Alexis Brown chipped in nine points apiece for Jacksonville.

Drake Reed of Memphis Gets Love from Girlz Prep Report

image from Girls Prep Report site


Drake Reed Basketball Club of Memphis (formerly known as Memphis Select) participated in Peach State Hoops' Best of Summer tournament in Georgia last week.

Girlz Prep Report was at the event reporting on some of the action.

Check out more photos and what they had to say.

Music City Madness 2010 Girls Basketball Tournament Schedule/Brackets

CLICK HERE

Bonnie-Jill Laflin, NBA's Only Female Scout

image from slamonline.com



Bonnie-Jill Laflin has worked as a scout for the Lakers since the 2003-04 season and also serves as the assistant general manager for the 22Los Angeles D-Fenders of the NBA Development League. A former cheerleader for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys and Golden State Warriors, Laflin began her association with the Lakers as a sports broadcaster covering the team for KCAL/KCBS during its three-title run from 1999-2002.

Check out some of the Slam Magazine interview:

SLAM: What are your scouting responsibilities?
BJL: The Pac-10 and Big 12. I went to the University of Texas. Well, now not the Big 12, we don’t know what it’s going to be called. [Laughs]

SLAM: Back to the Lakers — you’re also an assistant GM for the D-Fenders in the Development League.
BJL: Yes. That’s something I’m really passionate about. I love it. It’s amazing to see these guys living their dream and they’re just on that fringe to making the bigs and to see these guys work so hard. They’re not getting paid very well; it’s just like minor league baseball. It’s blood, sweat and tears to at least try to get even a 10-day callup. I really like seeing how much these guys are living out their dreams.

SLAM: How much are the jobs with the Lakers and D-Fenders related to each other?
BJL: Well, obviously when I’m scouting, it’s not just for the Lakers. I’m also scouting for D-League players for our team. So they definitely relate to my job responsibilities because I’m doing both. There are always those guys who teams are going to pass on and I’m thinking ‘Okay, this is a guy who can develop into something good and he’s got some raw talent. Let’s see how he can grow as a player.’

SLAM: Are you always scouting players with the Triangle in mind?
BJL: Definitely. We run the Triangle with the D-Fenders, as well. And obviously running the Triangle, as you know, you have to have a high basketball IQ. We look for someone who is a smart player on the court, good ball handler, someone who can run the Triangle so you have to think of that right away. Phil [Jackson] likes big guards, there are little things we know that Phil likes.

SLAM: How do you judge whether a player has a high basketball IQ?
BJL: A player that makes smart decisions, someone with good court vision. You can tell when a player is smart and has this raw talent that hasn’t developed into the high basketball IQ that we need. It takes awhile to get that Triangle down. We’re always looking for good point guards.

Click here for the complete Slam Magazine interview

Team Memphis Elite - Holmes 13U 2010 Highlights

The future is bright for Memphis girls basketball and Team Memphis Elite - Holmes 13U squad is an example of that. I caught a glimpse of the future in June.

Here is the roster of the team: (20) Takira Clay, (22) Olivia Cunningham, (54) Eryn Foster, (3) Kiara Golden, (23) Aqueen Hayes, (00) Minyone Hill, (11) Amber Holmes, (13) Taylor Lewis, (4) Maia McCoy, (12) Kalynn Parks, (16) Brianna Smith, (21) Kairneisha Trent.

Check out this highlight of Team Memphis Elite - Holmes with appearances by Erin Wilson (Memphis Lady Bobcats Red) and Arkela Ware (Memphis Select/Drake Reed of Memphis).

Quote of the Day

“Be willing to be uncomfortable. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it’s a small price to pay for living a dream.”
-Peter McWilliams

July Season Tips

It is the beginning of the second full week of July. Teams probably do more travel this month than any and it can be fun yet taxing on the body. Take it from me... I'm exhausted after running a 3 day tournament and needed to take a trip to the emergency room.

Here are some tips on how to handle the demanding July schedule.

Take Care of Your Body
Running around in piping hot gyms, players often collapse due to poor hydration or get injured because of muscle fatigue. If you're thirsty, you're not staying hydrated enough. Drinking water during timeouts, halftime, and in between games, gives your body the liquid fuel it needs to perform at a high level. You can also ice your knees to refresh your body.

Have fun on the court
You might not win every game, but you can bust you butt giving 100-percent effort. Create small, obtainable goals to make games enjoyable. Whether your mission is transition or taking a couple charges, every game has fun moments no matter how lopsided the score.

Click here for all the tips from Joy Hollingsworth, first-year assistant women's basketball coach at Seattle University.

Memphis shows out at Summer Derby Classic

Team Memphis Elite - Daniels finishes in 3rd place in the 17 National Division defeating Peak Performance 58 -47

Final Results

Memphis Select Lady Magic finishes in 5th in the 17 Signature Division defeating Team Memphis Elite - Wade/Isabel 64-40

Final Results

Watch Team Memphis Elite - Daniels at Summer Derby Classic

Team Memphis Elite - Daniels vs Triangle Lady Knights 17U











Team Memphis Elite - Daniels vs Kentucky Premier

Rodrea Echols, A National Champion

Rodrea Echols

Last week, the Arkansas Mavericks won the 11U AAU Nationals in Franklin, TN with an undefeated record of 7-0.

The championship game featured the Mavericks and NBA Star Jason Terry's Team the Lady Jets of Dallas. Memphis own Rodrea Echols finished with a double doulble with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Mavericks. She had a double double in all 7 games.

Rodrea will be a 7th grader at Snowden in the fall.

Summer Derby Classic 2010 Scores/Results

Memphis teams are looking pretty good at this years Michael T. White's Summer Derby Classic in Louisville, KY.

Memphis Select Lady Magic, Team Memphis Elite - Daniels and Team Memphis Elite - Wade/Isabel all went undefeated in first day competition.

Click here for scores

Quote of the Day

Good luck to all Memphis Teams competing this Month!!

JUST DO IT! -Nike

Tieara Burks heading to Columbia State

Former Hillcrest point guard, Tieara Burks, will be heading to Columbia State Community College in Columbia, TN this fall. Burks averaged 16 points, 5 steals, and 8 assists per game her senior year.

Click here for the complete story

Where will Memphis Teams be in July?

The July evaluation period begins next week. This means Memphis teams and players will be representing their talents in front of dozens if not hundreds of college coaches, recruiters and scouts throughout the month. I will continue to add the schedules of our local teams so you will know where we are.

Memphis Disciples
July 6th-7th - AGSE Tip-Off Classic in Memphis
July 9th-11th - The Meltdown in Branson, MO
July 14-18 - JSA 2010 Video Exposure National Tournament in Jacksonville, FL
July 23-25 - Boys and Girls FILA Exposure Showcase in Baton Rouge, LA
July 29th-31st - Patosha Jeffery's End of Summer Shootout in Memphis

Memphis Lady Bobcats
(July 6-8) - DFW Big State Flava Jam - Dallas,TX
(July 13-15) - Battle in the Boro - Murfreesboro, TN
(July 22-24) - NIKE/USJN National Championship - Washington, DC
(July 29-31) - USJN Summer Finale - Augusta, GA

Memphis Select now known as Drake Reed Basketball Club-Memphis
July 6th-7th - AGSE Tip-Off Classic in Memphis
July 9th-11th - Best of Summer in Atlanta
July 22nd -25th- Basketball on the Bayou in New Orleans
July 29th-31st - Patosha Jeffery's End of Summer Shootout in Memphis

Team Idlewild Fury
July 6th-7th - AGSE Tip-Off Classic in Memphis
July 29th-31st - Patosha Jeffery's End of Summer Shootout in Memphis

Team Memphis Elite - Daniels
July 6th-8th - Summer Derby Classic in Louisville
July 10th-15th - AAU 16U National Championship in Orlando
July 28-31 Fila Nationals in Georgia

Team Memphis Elite - Holmes
July 9-14th AAU Nationals in Kings Island, Ohio
July 29th-31st - Patosha Jeffery's End of Summer Shootout in Memphis

Team Memphis Elite - Little
July 6th-7th - AGSE Tip-Off Classic in Memphis
July 8th-10th - AAU 16U Gold Super Showcase in Orlando
July 11th-15th - AAU 15U National Championship in Orlando
July 22nd -25th- Basketball on the Bayou in New Orleans
July 29th-31st - Patosha Jeffery's End of Summer Shootout in Memphis

Team Memphis Elite - Wade/Isabel
July 6th-8th - Summer Derby Classic in Louisville
July 13-15 Battle of the Boro in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
July 22-25 Music City Madness in Franklin, Tennessee

Team Memphis Elite - Williams
July 6th-7th - AGSE Tip-Off Classic in Memphis
July 10th-15th - AAU 15U D2 National Championship in Orlando

Team Tennessee Glory - Jackson
July 9-14th AAU Nationals in Kings Island, Ohio
July 22-25 Music City Madness in Franklin, Tennessee
July 29th-31st - Patosha Jeffery's End of Summer Shootout in Memphis

Quote of the Day

"Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don't recognize them."
-Ann Landers

Ariel Hearn, Christyn Hopper, Camille Alberson Highlights

This upcoming season should be a good one for Arlington High School. They have a veteran squad lead by senior post Camille Alberson, junior guards Ariel Hearn and Christyn Hopper. I had an opportunity to check out Arlington during the Melissa McFerrin Hoop School Team Camp. Check out highlights of the trio. There's also a cameo appearance by Chris Adams. Everybody in Memphis knows Chris.